Pralhad Joshi named Education Minister after Pradhan quits

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Education following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, which was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on July 25, 2026. The move comes amid weeks of nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak.

Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating he was stepping down in the interest of students and to prevent what he described as "antinational forces" from exploiting the protest situation. In his resignation letter, he said he was disturbed by the events of recent weeks and that a robust education system was foundational to the nation. The President's office confirmed the resignation and Joshi's new assignment in an official communique issued on Saturday.

Joshi, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Member of Parliament from Dharwad, Karnataka, will retain his existing portfolios as Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy. He is a seasoned administrator who has previously held the coal, mines, and parliamentary affairs portfolios.